Inter Miami booked their place in the 2025 Leagues Cup final after a dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Florida rivals Orlando City at Chase Stadium on Wednesday night. Lionel Messi, subdued for much of the contest, produced two decisive late strikes to overturn a first-half deficit and keep Miami’s dream alive of clinching a second title in the cross-border tournament.
The win not only guarantees Miami a shot at silverware against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday but also secures their place in next season’s Concacaf Champions Cup. That achievement ensures Messi and his teammates another route to the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, further boosting the global profile of the South Florida side.
For a competition often dismissed by critics, the storyline of Messi’s late heroics has given the Leagues Cup a fresh jolt of star power. MLS, Apple TV, and neutrals alike now anticipate a glittering final in the Pacific Northwest.
Orlando in Control Until Brekalo’s Costly Error
Orlando City had looked poised to continue their recent dominance over Miami, having beaten their Florida rivals twice in MLS this season. Marco Pasalic’s composed finish in the first half gave Oscar Pareja’s side a deserved lead, and for over an hour their disciplined defending kept Messi frustrated and ineffective.
But the turning point arrived in the 77th minute when Slovenian defender David Brekalo pulled down Miami substitute Tadeo Allende inside the box. Though Allende managed a header on goal, the referee awarded a penalty and Brekalo received a second yellow card, leaving Orlando reduced to 10 men.
Messi stepped up with typical composure, dispatching the penalty past Pedro Gallese to level the score. That moment not only restored Miami’s belief but also tilted the momentum decisively in their favor against a tiring Orlando side.
Messi Returns From Injury to Deliver When It Counts
The night was far from vintage Messi for long stretches. Returning from a minor muscle strain that had sidelined him for the quarterfinal and last weekend’s MLS action, the Argentine looked hesitant in the opening half. Orlando’s compact shape limited his influence, cutting off passing lanes and doubling up whenever he received the ball.
Yet, true to form, Messi’s class emerged when it mattered most. With two minutes of regulation time remaining, he combined with former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba in a slick one-two before curling a trademark finish into the far corner to complete the turnaround. It was his eighth goal of the tournament, further underlining his ability to decide games almost single-handedly.
Speaking afterward, Messi admitted he was not at peak fitness but had prepared specifically for the derby clash. “I knew how important the opponent was, a very tough opponent we hadn’t beaten this year,” he told Apple TV. “In the second half, I loosened up a bit more and found the spaces.”
Segovia and Suárez Seal the Victory
With Orlando reeling, Miami pressed forward to kill the game off. In stoppage time, Venezuelan substitute Telasco Segovia linked up with Luis Suárez for a clever one-two, before lifting a neat finish over Gallese to make it 3-1. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations at Chase Stadium, confirming Miami’s progression to their second Leagues Cup final in three years.
The victory was achieved without head coach Javier Mascherano on the touchline. The Argentine, serving a one-game suspension after his heated dismissal in the quarterfinal against Tigres, watched on from the stands. His absence, however, did little to dull Miami’s resolve, with the squad showing maturity in the closing stages.
For Orlando, frustration lingered after the final whistle. Pareja criticized the officiating, particularly Brekalo’s dismissal and a rejected penalty appeal for Iván Angulo. “Certain decisions affected the team,” the Colombian coach said. “In the first half we controlled the game, but in the second half, those calls changed everything.”
Seattle Sounders Await in Leagues Cup Final
Miami’s triumph sets up a mouthwatering final against the Seattle Sounders, who defeated the LA Galaxy 2-0 in Los Angeles earlier on Wednesday. The Sounders, long considered one of MLS’s most consistent franchises, will relish the chance to halt Miami’s Messi-led momentum in front of their home fans.
For Messi, the final represents an opportunity to add another chapter to his remarkable story in North America. He had already lifted the Leagues Cup in 2023 during his debut season with Miami, but adding a second title would cement the club’s growing reputation on the continental stage.
As the Herons prepare for their toughest test yet, all eyes will once again turn to Messi. Even when not at his dazzling best, the Argentine continues to deliver when the stakes are highest—ensuring that Sunday’s final in Seattle will be must-watch football.
